The New Orleans Police Department now has two years to show it can sustain the reforms instituted over the last dozen years under the federal consent decree, a judge ruled Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan placed the NOPD in the two year "sustainment" phase that marks the beginning of the end of the consent decree.
Judge Morgan also denied a motion by New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration to exit the consent decree immediately, and rejected a motion by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill to act as counsel on behalf of the city in the administration's goal of ending the consent decree early.
The consent decree began in January 2013, after a scathing U.S. Justice Department report in 2011 accused the NOPD of a "pattern and practice" of violating citizens' civil rights.
Over the next two years, the NOPD will conduct self-audits to show that it is continuing the practices set up under the federal government's watch. If it successfully completes the two year probationary period, that will clear the way for the judge to release the city from the consent decree entirely.